Janmastami celebrated with great fervour in Bengal

Kolkata, Aug 23 : 'Janmashtami', birthday of Lord Krishna, was today celebrated in Bengal along with the rest of the country with religious fervour and gaiety. State Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greeted the people on occasion. On the eve of Janmasthami, Mr Dhankhar in a massage said, the occasion be celebrated with joyfulness, peace and harmony by the citizens of the state together with the rest of India.

The Governor conveyed his best wishes to the people for their well being and happiness. “Heartiest greetings to all on the occasion of #Janmashtami,” Ms Banerjee posted on her social networking page. Thousands of devotees gathered at the ISKCON temple here at Mayapur in Nadia District, as Janmashtami, the festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, was celebrated. Devotees listened ‘Kirtans’ and later they were served with a special dish with 56 items known as the ‘Chappan Bhog’.

A variety of cultural programs were held in different parts of the state, including Kolkata to celebrated Janmashtami with great fervour through idol worship, dance-dramas and "satsangs" (religious gatherings) as a mark of respect to Lord Krishna. In households the deity is worshiped by the family members and special bhog (food) which contains payesh (a special porridge made out of milk and rice) , 'malpoa' and 'tal bora' (sweets) is offered to the god.

Fancy dress competitions with children dressed like Krishna, sit and draw competitions where children drew his pictures, and other cultural programmes were organised to celebrate the occasion. Janmashtami which is also known as Gokulashtami is a Hindu festival and is observed to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered as an incarnation of God Vishnu, the protector of the Universe. It is celebrated on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha (the dark lunar fortnight or waning moon) as per the Hindu calendar.UNI